Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 49

Tale of the Wandering Swordsman – 48

After being bedridden for half a month, Sangeon finally got up.

Realizing that half a month had passed, a haggard-looking Sangeon duplicated the Seondan [a powerful elixir].

Only then did he learn what had happened in his absence. Surprisingly, Geumgin had escaped from Hongyeon’s grasp.

“How?”

How could he escape from Hongyeon, who possessed eons of cultivation? As he heard the explanation, a bitter smile crossed his face.

“When I arrived, that bastard was already running away. Even so, killing him wasn’t a problem, so I finished him off with a single strike, but I missed the Dallyeong (團靈) [the core spirit]. I tried to chase after him, but Sangeon was in critical condition, and the Biseon [stone statues guarding the entrance] were watching, so I couldn’t pursue him.”

Dallyeong refers to the spirit essence that ascends to Yeongmyeong [a higher realm of existence] and dwells within the inner core.

In the realm of Yeongmyeong, the spirit essence, or Yeonggak, resides in the inner core. Once that happens, even if the body is completely destroyed, one can escape as long as the inner core remains intact.

Anyway.

Sangeon listened to the story and pondered for a moment before nodding.

Even if that bastard escaped, he couldn’t chase after him immediately.

He had used some tricks, and if he escaped as a Dallyeong, it would probably take a long time for him to recover his body.

‘At least 30 or 40 years.’

With that much time, Sangeon could escape far away or focus on his cultivation, which was plenty of time.

Sangeon organized his thoughts, but it was difficult to move right away.

Sangeon’s vitality was severely damaged in Cheonyaodong [a dangerous place]. Perhaps it was because he had lost too much blood. His original cultivation, which was at the peak of Huyeong [a cultivation stage], had been downgraded to Chogyeong [a lower cultivation stage].

“It’s alright, Sangeon. I’ll even fetch your chamber pot,” Hwaran, who had recovered while he was lying down, appeared and teased him.

However, her face was so full of joy that Sangeon tried to say something but let out a hollow laugh and lay back down.

“Ha… Did I really survive?”

It was a truly terrible ordeal.

If he hadn’t mastered the Bunhapsugyeol [a spirit division technique] and solidified his spirit, it would have been difficult to survive.

Handling a large number of treasures simultaneously was enough to make his head explode.

Maintaining the Hwanjin [illusionary formation], commanding the ghosts, and using Ryugokja [a type of Buddhist prayer beads], the rosary, the gourd, Tamhwaogong [a magical artifact], and finally, Bongak Cheonghwa [another magical artifact].

He poured out his spiritual power like water, damaging his vitality, and barely managed to survive.

It was a shame that his cultivation had decreased a bit, but it was a path he had already climbed once.

If he had time, he could build it up again, so he didn’t care.

Sangeon was lost in thought about what happened in Cheonyaodong and looked at Hwaran.

Hair flowing down like a waterfall, with eyes, nose, and mouth neatly arranged.

And the smiling expression as she looked at him was worthy of being called a national beauty.

However, Sangeon’s face, as he looked at such a beautiful woman, was tinged with a bit of bitterness.

‘It would be great if Hwaran could find her original realm.’

Even if she were a normal ghost, a Changwi [a type of spirit] subordinate to a tiger cannot cultivate on her own.

The divine powers that can be wielded will also increase depending on the tiger’s capabilities, but even then, a Changwi is just a Changwi.

After pondering for a moment, he shook his head.

“What about the Geumeun sisters?”

“They have already recovered. They are also resting in Subangbong [a location], having made their residence there with Sangeon.”

Hongyeon approached and quietly placed something huge.

“What’s this?”

“It’s that bastard’s head and front legs.”

It was a hideous sight that he didn’t even want to see in his dreams. The huge head with the bastard’s eyeballs embedded in it, as well as the sharp legs that had almost stabbed Sangeon, naturally made him frown.

“But why this?”

Of course, it was tempting, but it belonged to Hongyeon. He had gone to the brink of death blocking Geumgin’s attack.

“It’s useless to me, so I came to exchange it.”

“Exchange? Ah…….”

He was trying to exchange these things for something Sangeon had.

Since Sangeon could replicate them as much as he wanted with Sawoljehang [a replication technique], it wasn’t a bad deal.

‘Well, it wouldn’t catch Hongyeon’s eye.’

There was nothing that would tempt the eternal Hongyeon, except perhaps the Seondan that would help Kkamanghori’s cultivation.

‘That black dog’s talent is quite ordinary.’

Sangeon nodded and handed over the Okjubaeckdan [a type of Seondan] that he had already replicated.

Hongyeon’s eyes widened in surprise, but he soon smiled and disappeared.

‘It must be amazing.’

As far as she knew, Sangeon only had one Seondan, the Okjubaeckdan.

It was no wonder she was surprised that he gave it away.

‘Thanks to her, I survived.’

He owed Hongyeon a lot.

A Seondan felt insufficient as the price for his life.

‘Anyway, shall we take a look?’

Hongyeon probably brought that bastard’s head because of his eyes.

Geumgin’s eyes were inherited through a special bloodline.

Breaking through or twisting the Hwanjin with force was possible, but the divine power to accurately see through it was hard to find even in Sanhae (山海) [a mythical realm].

Since the eyes themselves were special, Dallyeong Geumjeong [a technique], which he had obtained from Samgwi, naturally came to mind.

‘A secret technique to make the inner core into eyes.’

Dallyeong Geumjeong, which had seen through Sangeon’s illusion with just that. And Geumgin’s eyes, which had created a powerful Hwankye [illusionary world].

‘What happens if I combine the two?’

If he could use it himself? If that were the case, he would have nothing to fear from various illusion-based divine powers.

‘But I don’t know how.’

He decided to consult Hongyeon about this and clapped his hands, thinking about Samgwi.

“Come to think of it, there was Samgwi’s unique Tongsul [a type of magical art].”

He hadn’t had time to properly examine it. Sangeon briefly unraveled the Gugeol [a type of incantation] of Pacheonmageok [a powerful technique] that he had heard from Hongyeon and pondered its meaning.

After a while.

Sangeon’s face was filled with surprise and embarrassment, because the divine power system of Pacheonmageok’s Gugeol was quite amazing.

Pacheonmageok (破天魔激) [lit. Heaven-Breaking Demon Stimulation].

The amazing thing about this Tongsul was that it was somewhat similar to Bunhapsugyeol.

If Bunhapsugyeol was about dividing the original inner core, Pacheonmageok focused on creating a Gadan (假團) [a false core], a fake inner core, and increasing its number.

‘So that’s why he was able to increase his cultivation to Yeongmyeong so suddenly.’

Only then did he realize why Samgwi had rapidly increased his cultivation.

Samgwi had created Gadan with Pacheonmageok and used it to exponentially increase his cultivation whenever he was in a crisis.

It would take a considerable amount of time to create Gadan, but it was like insurance.

‘Even if I use it, I won’t be able to drastically increase my cultivation, but I will be able to replenish my spiritual power at once.’

His eyes gradually deepened, and he briefly put down what he was holding.

Then he looked down at the leg next to him.

‘Geumgin’s leg.’

Even Bongak Cheonghwa couldn’t burn it.

This leg, which was as dark as pitch and had sharpness, would be a pretty powerful weapon even if it were made into a Bopae [a magical artifact].

“Shall I think about it slowly?”

As long as he was with Hongyeon, safety was almost guaranteed.

He also got the Seondan to raise his realm, so it didn’t matter if he lived a little leisurely.

* * *

Fifteen days later.

Geummae was laughing, her golden hair swaying, and Eunmae was covering her mouth and laughing next to her.

It was better to see them laughing like this than when they were dying.

“Ahem, anyway, thank you isn’t enough to express our gratitude to Gongja [a respectful title]. We don’t know how to repay this debt… In the first place, we are Hona blood [a cursed bloodline], but you don’t even care about that.”

“It was just luck. Besides, whether you are Hona blood or not, it doesn’t matter as long as we get along. I don’t care what you are.”

In the first place, Sangeon is a Youngsoo [a blessed being].

He hadn’t even revealed that fact, but they were praising him like this, so he felt sorry for no reason.

“As expected….”

Geummae muttered and exchanged meaningful glances with Eunmae. They seemed to have made up their minds and turned to Sangeon with determined faces.

“We’ve been wondering why Gongja is so kind to us. And we’ve come to one conclusion.”

Eunmae suddenly bowed her head and blushed. Geummae also bit her lower lip and fidgeted with her hands.

He waited for a while, wondering what they were doing, and then they blurted out nonsense.

“Gongja, you must be admiring one of us sisters!”

“…….”

“But it can’t be! Eunmae and I don’t dislike Gongja, but even so, Eunmae and I can’t be separated! So, if you want to marry, you have to be with both of us….”

“What the hell are you talking about!!”

“Kyaa!”

When he shouted, Geummae was startled and covered her ears.

Eunmae was already prostrate on the floor.

Geummae helped Eunmae up and pouted her lips.

“Then tell us. Which one of us, me or Eunmae?”

Sangeon covered his face with both hands at Geummae’s nonsense.

At that time.

Kkamanghori, who had appeared, swept her long hair back over her shoulder and said.

“Hmph, Sangeon likes strong women. Isn’t that right?”

“What is that again…….”

What kind of nonsense is that?

He had no memory of ever saying such a thing.

But what was that confident expression?

Sangeon’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“No. Sangeon-nim likes virtuous women who are weak but know how to serve their husbands. Isn’t that right?”

Then Hwaran, who appeared from behind Sangeon, shook her head firmly.

Sangeon quietly got up from his seat.

In his experience, if he stayed here any longer, his eardrums wouldn’t be able to handle it, so it was right to leave in advance.

“Ah……. He went in.”

Geummae regretted with a voice full of sadness.

“Hmph, it’s because of you. You asked something that didn’t even make sense, so he got angry.”

Kkamanghori crossed her arms and snorted.

“What? You’re the one who’s been spouting nonsense.”

“What? I, what did I do!”

“I’ve never heard of a man who likes strong women. There’s no way our Gongja would have such a taste.”

The image of women in this era is virtuous women.

A woman with a strong spirit was not a good impression.

“Hmph! What do you know? This lady and Daeho [Sangeon’s nickname] have known each other for over 50 years. Of course, this lady knows better!”

But she had only spoken to him a handful of times during those years. Kkamanghori, who had left that out, was confident.

Hwaran, who knew that fact, scoffed and sneered.

“It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve known each other. What’s more important is the heart!”

“Y, you’re right…….”

Then Kkamanghori panicked and groaned. Come to think of it, she didn’t have much experience talking to anyone other than Hongyeon and Sangeon.

“Master.”

Hongyeon, who couldn’t stand it any longer, pointed to Kkamanghori’s wrist. Then a smile spread across Hori’s lips. She became elated and shook the Aejeoksa [a magical artifact] wrapped around her wrist.

“Can you see this?”

“What is that snake……. Huh! Could it be!”

“Your eyes aren’t crooked. Hehe, that’s right, this is…….”

After that, the Geumeun sisters left the stone chamber with blank faces, and Kkamanghori was kicked out by Sangeon.